Actually I agree with your first comment: take what anyone says here with a grain of salt. Each person should do their own research when considering a form of treatment. Go with what you are comfortable with and have researched well, however understand that researching and the experience of undergoing therapy are
not the same thing. Is IFS a good or bad thing? Neither, its a tool, like a gun or a knife, and its the intent of the tool user (therapist) that determines whether the tool is being put to a useful or harmful pupose. I have seen IFS do wonders for people when used properly, but with trauma and especially complex trauma there
are dangers with any therapy. Also almost no experienced trauma therapist will use one therapeutic approach alone. For instance I used IFS as the main therapy for reasons I explain below, but I also used EMDR, body based therapy, like sensorimotor therapy and basic CBT at times. An eclectic approach is usual.
I do not have PTSD or a trauma related disorder, but have worked with many who did over a period of decades. The reason I suggest IFS or a similar ego state therapy is that with complex trauma there is naturally going to be a fair bit of dissociation which will have split aspects of the person's experience, and sense of
self into ego states that are inaccessible or partially so, as they are behind permeable or semi-permeable barriers of dissociation and the disconnect between
the individual and these ego states can and typically will cause all sorts of grief as these ego states make their presence know over time. For instance intrusive memories/flashbacks are coming from an ego state still stuck in the trauma. The point is that the existence of these ego states and their ability to disrupt the life of the person is what the inner landscape of the person looks like so it makes sense to go with that and use an ego state approach to first of all help the individual understand what's going on and then proceed together in working with this reality. An important point is with any therapy the whole endeavor needs to be team work with the therapist greatly respecting the person he/she is working with, tapping into the client's experience, pacing the work by that experience. Nothing should be forced or done contrary to the client's will. By the way, I do not offer medical advice, only advice for therapy. There is a big difference. While meds may
be helpful for symptom control( e.g. anxiety) they are not the cure, they can at best treat symptoms and hopefully the individual who has the symptoms is then getting the therapy that he/she finds helpful.
So yes, take what I say with a grain of salt and do your own research. All the best to all of you as you journey on.
not the same thing. Is IFS a good or bad thing? Neither, its a tool, like a gun or a knife, and its the intent of the tool user (therapist) that determines whether the tool is being put to a useful or harmful pupose. I have seen IFS do wonders for people when used properly, but with trauma and especially complex trauma there
are dangers with any therapy. Also almost no experienced trauma therapist will use one therapeutic approach alone. For instance I used IFS as the main therapy for reasons I explain below, but I also used EMDR, body based therapy, like sensorimotor therapy and basic CBT at times. An eclectic approach is usual.
I do not have PTSD or a trauma related disorder, but have worked with many who did over a period of decades. The reason I suggest IFS or a similar ego state therapy is that with complex trauma there is naturally going to be a fair bit of dissociation which will have split aspects of the person's experience, and sense of
self into ego states that are inaccessible or partially so, as they are behind permeable or semi-permeable barriers of dissociation and the disconnect between
the individual and these ego states can and typically will cause all sorts of grief as these ego states make their presence know over time. For instance intrusive memories/flashbacks are coming from an ego state still stuck in the trauma. The point is that the existence of these ego states and their ability to disrupt the life of the person is what the inner landscape of the person looks like so it makes sense to go with that and use an ego state approach to first of all help the individual understand what's going on and then proceed together in working with this reality. An important point is with any therapy the whole endeavor needs to be team work with the therapist greatly respecting the person he/she is working with, tapping into the client's experience, pacing the work by that experience. Nothing should be forced or done contrary to the client's will. By the way, I do not offer medical advice, only advice for therapy. There is a big difference. While meds may
be helpful for symptom control( e.g. anxiety) they are not the cure, they can at best treat symptoms and hopefully the individual who has the symptoms is then getting the therapy that he/she finds helpful.
So yes, take what I say with a grain of salt and do your own research. All the best to all of you as you journey on.